Health Signs your Tongue may reveal
The important this is to pay attention to what is going on in your mouth and on your tongue. It is the gateway to your body and can help diagnose potential systemic issues.
The important this is to pay attention to what is going on in your mouth and on your tongue. It is the gateway to your body and can help diagnose potential systemic issues.
Any time a medical or dental procedure is performed to improve your current situation, there are inherent risks. Some may be more obvious than others, but we believe it is important we make you aware of some of the possible outcomes. If you have knee replaced at the hospital, you have always been asked to read and acknowledge some of the potential risks. Whether you have a tooth extracted or a cavity filled, they are also invasive procedures that could have potential problems. We feel it is beneficial for each person to have this information before procedures are performed.
For some, the answer is obvious that they need to protect their teeth at night. Their spouse may complain of the grinding noise, they may wake up with a sore jaw, or their teeth are becoming visibly worn or damaged. For others, the answer may not be so clear cut. So how do we know when there is a problem and how it should be treated? We will try to answer a few of the basics for you.
With each professional cleaning and examination at Brown and Kupper DDS, both the hygienist and dentist perform a thorough oral cancer screening. There are certain markers or characteristics we look for, but the most important step is maintaining regular visits to give us the opportunity to identify any potential issues as early as possible. The earlier oral cancer is identified, the better the long term prognosis.
It is so hard to believe, but I have been retired for 3 full years. They say the older you get, the faster the time goes, and I sure am finding that to be true.
For anyone looking to make some small changes in their life and diet to get healthier, both doctors and dentists agree that choosing water over other drinks can make a huge difference. The added calories from different drinks can make it difficult to shed those extra pounds and the extra sugar can make you more prone to develop tooth decay. Below we will share the calories and sugars found in some common drinks and how much sugar is too much for your family’s individual needs.
From a young age, we are told to brush your teeth every day and hopefully twice a day. It is common knowledge that we need to brush our teeth in order to maintain good oral health. For whatever reason, flossing our teeth daily does not hold the same level of importance with the every person. Maybe it is harder to include into our routine, or maybe we don’t see as many commercials for floss as we do toothpaste. But by flossing just once a day, you can significantly decrease your risk of gum disease and increase the odds of achieving and maintaining good oral health.
More people than ever before are being diagnosed with sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious disorder when your breathing starts and stops. Some of the initial signs and symptoms can be snoring or still feeling tired after a full night of sleep. The proper way to be diagnosed is to undergo a sleep study under the supervision of a sleep physician. From there, they can help determine whether a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) or an oral appliance is needed.
We have always been taught that candy and sugars are bad for your teeth and will lead to cavities. This has not changed. Traditional sugar can definitely lead to tooth decay when not used in moderation and when homecare is not up to par. However, there is a new sugar substitute called xylitol that does not lead to tooth decay. It is an all natural substance that is commonly derived from renewable resources like corn cobs. Even more encouraging than the fact that it is does not cause cavities is that research has shown it may even help fight tooth decay.
There has been some controversy involving amalgam (silver) dental fillings and possible issues they present to the patient or environment. Dental amalgam is a mixture of copper, silver, tin, and zinc. However, the controversy exists because trace amounts of mercury are added for strength and durability to the filling. Claims exist that the amalgam is toxic and can cause serious issues for anyone who has these fillings or may receive them. But it must be understood that the American Dental Association still supports use the use of dental amalgams as an appropriate restorative material for children and adults because there are no reliable studies that show any harm.